Unbroken (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen #3.5)(19)

“Demanding,” I finish, laughing, and loving that he can joke about himself.

“Demanding,” he concurs, his tone softening. “We’ll deal with whatever Godzilla comes our way, baby.”

I grin at the silly metaphor I’d made up the first night I met him. “And the sharks swimming at our feet?” I ask, reminding him of something he’d said.

“And the sharks,” he agrees, kissing my knuckles. “Now. What do you say we go get you a couple of dresses?”

“We?” I ask, appalled. “You can’t see my wedding dress. It has to be a surprise at the wedding.” He ignores my objection, dragging me out of the nook. “Liam,” I warn. “I’m serious.”

He opens the glass door to the bridal boutique. “I’ll stay in the waiting area inside the boutique.”

I glower despite the firm set of his jaw telling me he’s not going to give in on this. Still, I have to try. “If you’re worried about my safety, there’s only one door. You stay out here and guard the door.”

Looking amused at my efforts to dissuade him, he just stands there, not even bothering to argue, as if he’s already won.

My lips purse because he has won. “Fine. But I’m not showing you the dresses.”

His lips quirk. “Understood.”

“Miss me?” Tellar asks, appearing by Liam’s side only to have his eyes go wide at the view beyond the glass door Liam holds. “Clearly I’ve missed some big wedding news.”

I smile and hold up my hand and he whistles in reply. “That’s what I call commitment.”

I can’t resist a little teasing. “Want to be my flower boy, Tellar?”

“Only if I get a new dress, too,” he jokes.

I shake my head, grinning inside and out as I make my way past an elegant white leather love seat to a wall of dresses. Excitement bubbles inside me as I admire one gown after another, but most feel overdone for our small wedding. Deciding I had better focus on tonight’s dress first, I turn to seek out an attendant, and find Liam and a gray-haired woman with a measuring tape hanging over her shoulders in conversation.

The woman hustles away and Liam claims the love seat, and I close the short distance between us. Stopping in front of him, my hands on my hips, I start to ask him about his exchange with the attendant.

“Good news!” His hand closes over one of mine, sending tingles all the way down my leg. “I told the store attendant to make sure you spend a ridiculous amount of money.”

“I don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money!”

“Don’t say that to her; she works on commission. You’ll ruin her day. Choose what you love, baby. Don’t let price decide. You’re mine. You’re only getting married once.”

I cup his face and kiss him. “And you’re mine, Mr. Stone.”

“Indeed, Mrs. Stone,” is his reply.

“Mrs. Stone,” I repeat, loving how it sounds.

“Here’s the bride-to-be.”

At the sound of the attendant’s voice, I kiss him again and turn to find her smiling, crinkles forming around her eyes.

“Amy,” Liam says. “Meet Betty.”

“Hi, Betty,” I greet.

“Nice to meet you, Amy. Mr. Stone helped me estimate your size, and since the approach of tonight’s event is imminent, I’ve selected some evening gowns and placed them in a room for you.”

“Excellent,” I reply. “I’m ready.”

She turns on her heel and I follow her, waving over my shoulder at Liam before we disappear down a hallway. Betty opens one of the doors and then faces me, lacing her fingers in front of her. “While you try on the formal gowns, I’ll pull some wedding options. Can you share some details about the venue, and if you have a style or dream dress in mind?”

“The wedding is going to be very small and intimate.”

“Then I’d say understated and elegant?” she queries.

I nod and tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.

Her eyes go wide. “Oh my. Your ring is spectacular. May I?”

“Oh yes,” I say, proudly extending my hand.

She studies the stone, then says, “I have the perfect dress. I’ll be back.” She hustles down the walkway and once again I’m smiling, something that is becoming a wonderful habit today.

I walk into the giant dressing room and shut the door, looking at the six dresses displayed around the room. I’m instantly drawn to an aqua gown that closely matches the color of Liam’s eyes. Slipping my purse over my head, I drop it on a chair and move closer to view my choice, loving the embroidered bodice and the sheer sleeves and fitted, long skirt. I dig around for a price tag and find none, and when I move to the next dress and do the same, I come up empty. Liam’s doing, no doubt.

Sighing, I cave to the idea that I won’t know the prices unless I ask, and even that is questionable. Feeling rather excited to try on my choice, I undress. Once I’m zipped into the aqua dress, I inspect myself in the mirror, disappointed to find the dress clings to my hips and makes them look wrong in all kinds of ways. A knock sounds on the door and I open it to have Betty enter and hang up a pale pink one-shoulder, A-line dress. I gasp at the perfection of the color. “I love it,” I say. “I can’t wait to try it on. Oh please, let it fit.”